Our Water company client are seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead delivery of a new visitor centre at the Havant Thicket Reservoir on the South Coast.
The role is a permanent position with the ideal candidate able to be on site 3 days a week minimum.
Our client are looking to create a visitor centre that reflects the beauty and importance of a landmark reservoir build project - a place where the community can connect with nature, learn about water sustainability, and enjoy the surrounding environment.
You will guide the project through every stage - from design and procurement to construction and smooth transition into daily operations. Before work begins, a comprehensive site management plan will be established to ensure the highest standards of safety, quality, and environmental care throughout the build.
Key Responsibilities:
- Act as NEC Project Manager for the Visitor Centre design and construction contracts, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to the required quality.
- Oversee all project phases - design development, planning application, construction, commissioning, and handover into operations.
- Lead and coordinate the multidisciplinary project team, including QS, H&S, PMO, design, planning, procurement, finance, and commercial functions.
- Champion health, safety, wellbeing, quality, and environmental performance across all project activities.
- Scrutinise contractor submissions such as payment applications, programmes, compensation events, and early warnings.
- Chair coordination meetings with designers, contractors, and stakeholders
- Develop and manage key stakeholder relationships, securing agreement on project delivery plans and communicating progress clearly.
- Represent client at stakeholder and public consultation meetings, ensuring transparency and collaboration
- Work with consultancy and local council partners (client Operations team, Forestry England, Hampshire County Council, LPAs) to develop the Site Management and Recreation Plans.
- Plan and manage the transition into operations, including team mobilisation and procurement of operational contracts.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant planning, environmental, and statutory regulations, including CDM, Building Regulations, and Section 106 agreements.
- Provide regular progress reporting and governance papers to support informed decision-making and maintain project accountability.
Skills, Qualifications & Experience:
- Strong communication and team leadership skills
- Good analytical skills with the ability to review and write technical specifications, procurement strategies, business cases, decision support papers and progress reports.
- Strong appreciation of risk management techniques, with experience of managing budgets for construction projects
- Good knowledge of construction materials, processes and equipment
- Excel/Powerpoint/Word/Teams
- Experience of using Contract Management Software would be an advantage
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field of study
- More than 10 years of experience of design and construction management
- Experience of leading design and build projects
- NEC contract management experience is essential.
- Chartered with a relevant institution e.g. MICE, MIET
- Project management qualification (PRINCE, APM or PMI)
- Retail, catering or visitor facilities experience would be an advantage
- Full driving licence
Benefits
- £76-86k base salary
- 3 or 4 days based on site with some flex around home life
- 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Excellent water company pension (up to 15%)
- Up to 6% company discretionary bonus
- Private medical
